Manjunath Naik was raised in the small town of Murdeshwar in India, and subsequently in Goa, where he began his career at the Taj Fort Aguada Beach Resort. After winning a gold medal at a Dubai food competition, he moved to the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai, where he stayed for five years before moving to Ireland in 1995. He worked as head chef at Shalimar Indian Restaurant before joining the Merrion Hotel, where he stayed for 10 years. He followed with five years as executive chef at the Westbury Hotel before moving to work for Google. In 2012 he finally established his own restaurant and takeaway in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, above Lee’s pub.
The menu features starters, tandoori, curries, lamb, seafood, vegetarian, and biryani dishes, showcasing both familiar and lesser-known Indian flavours.
What did we order?
Hara bhara kebab, Lucknow lamb Galouti kebab, mixed tandoor platter for two, Murgh cholay, and lamb kofta curry.
How was the service?
Service was straightforward. We ordered online for pickup, which was ready on time and steaming hot.
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Was the food nice?
The kebabs, flattened like small burgers, were tasty and ranged from the vegetarian hara bhara kebab (spinach, potatoes, peas, mildly spiced with coriander seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek, and fresh and dry ginger) with coriander chutney, to the Lucknow lamb Galouti kebab, made from Wicklow lamb with tandoori spices, shallots, fresh mint and coriander, served with mango chutney.
The mixed tandoor platter included tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, seekh kabab, tiger prawns and coriander naan, served with curry sauce. However, the lack of the expected tandoor char was disappointing.
The Murgh cholay was tasty, an Indian-style chicken and chickpea street food spiced with dry mango powder, pomegranate powder, roasted cumin powder, tomatoes and ginger garlic paste, with a side of rice. The lamb kofta curry stood out, consisting of four large meatballs cooked in a delicious tomato-based sauce with chunks of paneer and coriander, and a side of rice. The sauce had a nice rounded flavour with a good spicy kick.
What about the packaging?
The food was packed in a paper bag and plastic bag. The containers were a mixture of foil and plastic, so recyclable if clean, but the plastic is not ideal.
What did it cost?
Dinner for three people came to €59.70: Hara bhara kebab, €5; Lucknow lamb Galouti kebab €8; mixed tandoor platter for two, €18; Murgh cholay, €14; lamb kofta curry, €14; and processing fee €0.70.
Where does it deliver?
Takeaway or delivery within a 10km radius. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 4.30pm-10pm, and Sun and bank holidays, 4.30pm-9pm.
Would I order it again?
Yes, thanks to reasonable pricing, generous portions, and the inclusion of rice with many main dishes.
